Course Code: Environmental Sciences L T P J

CHY. 2 0 0 4
Version No. 1.0
Course None
Prerequisites
Objectives 1. To make students understand and appreciate the unity of life in all its forms, the implication
of life style on the environment.
2. To understand the various causes for environmental degradation.
3. To understand individuals contribution in the environmental pollution.
4. To understand the impact of pollution at the global level and also in the local environment
Expected Students will be able to
Outcomes 1. Understand the need for eco-balance.
2. Acquire basic knowledge about global climate change with a particular reference to th
Indian context.
3. Find ways to protect the environment and play pro-active roles
Title Hours SLO
Module Environment and Ecosystem 5 1, 5,
-1 Key environmental problems and their basic causes; Ecosystem, earth life support 12,14
system and ecosystem components; Energy flow in ecosystem; Ecological
succession; Nutrient, water, carbon, nitrogen, cycles; Effect of human activities on
these cycles.
Module Biodiversity 5 1,5,11,
-2 Importance, types, mega-biodiversity; Species interaction - Extinct, endemic, 12,15
endangered and rare species; Hot-spots; GM crops; Threats to biodiversity: Natural
and anthropogenic activities; Conservation: Terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity.
Module Sustaining Natural Resources and Environmental Quality 5 1,2,3,5,8
-3 Environmental hazards: Biological, Chemical, Nuclear; Risk and evaluation of 2,13,14,2
hazards; Types of pollution: Air and water Pollution sources, effects and
mitigation. Water quality management and its conservation; Water footprint and
virtual water, Solid waste management; Climate disruption and ozone depletion
(Kyoto protocol, Carbon sequestration methods and Montreal Protocol can be
discussed).
Module Energy Resources 5 2,3,4,
-4 Non renewable energy resources - oil, Natural gas, Coal, Nuclear energy. Energy 11,12,1
efficiency and renewable energy. Solar energy, Hydroelectric power, Ocean thermal 16,
energy, Wind and geothermal energy. Energy from biomass, solar-Hydrogen
revolution.
 Module Environmental Impact Assessment 5 1,
-5 Introduction to environmental impact analysis. EIA guidelines, Notification of 9,17,19
Government of India (Environmental Protection Act Air, water, forest and wild
life). Impact assessment methodologies. Public awareness. Environmental priorities
in India and sustainable development.

Module Human Population Change and Environment - Guest Lecture 5 2,11,16

-6 Urban environmental problems; Consumerism and waste products; Promotion of 7,19,20
economic development Impact of population age structure Women and child
welfare, Women empowerment. Sustaining human societies: Economics,
environment, policies and education.
Field Work:
1. Morphometry of the pond
2. Measurement of Physico- Chemical Factors of an ecosystem.
3. Biotic Factors: Producers, Consumers and decomposers.
4. Visit to a polluted area and prepare a detailed report.
5. Visit an effluent treatment plant and understand the treatment process.
6. Quality of water and extent of pollution in and around hospitals.
7. Trends observed in literacy rate modifications for the past 20 years.
8. Necessity for Equal rights for women in India.
9. Child labour and its impact on the society.
10. Roadside restaurants and health hazards.
11. Water scarcity and measures.
12. Rapid change in climate and its cause.
13. Investigations on local Palar River Water streams and their watersheds
14. Collect the samples in tanneries waste - located on banks of Palar River and
list out the associated environmental risks.
15. Cement ash in air at (Old Katpadi) residential area and risks to human health
16. Bioremediation of nitrate and fluoride in groundwater
17. Cyclone hazards use of web-GIS to map roadside/site ditches to prevent
flooding.
18. Use of biochemical assays to investigate chemical contamination in
household products
19. Modeling of Environmental Systems
20. Determine the pH of soil in VIT campus and list out the remedial measures.
21. Investigations on E-waste

22. Quality assessment of packaged foods.

Text books 1. G. Tyler Miller and Scott E. Spoolman (2013), Environmental Science, 14 th Editio
Cengage learning.
2. George Tyler Miller, Jr. and Scott Spoolman (2012), Living in the Environment Principle
Connections and Solutions, 17th Edition, Brooks/Cole, USA.
Reference books 1. David M.Hassenzahl, Mary Catherine Hager, Linda R.Berg (2011), Visualizin
Environmental Science, 4thEdition,John Wiley & Sons, USA.

Recommended Recommended on 11th June 2015

by the board of
studies
Date of
approval
by the Academic
Council

Case Studies:

1. Chromium in Groundwater of Vellore District

2. Alternative Fuel Vehicles

3. The Waste-To-Energy Option for Managing Domestic Trash

4. Drought in the Southwest Tamil Nadu

5. Nepal Earthquake Disaster 2015

6. Pollutions at public gatherings

7. Geological Storage of Nuclear Waste in India

8. Asian Tsunami 2004

9. Coal-bed methane projects

10. Land Acquisition Acts vs Farmers

11. Water on Mars: The Search for Life

12. Human Intervention on Wildlife Corridors

13. Sustainable Energy issues in both developed and developing countries

14. Social Security Issues in Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

15. Population and need for cheap infectious disease surveillance tools